Pillar Innovations, a sales and customer service support provider for the mining, oil and gas industries, will expand its operations center in Evansville, Indiana, creating up to 15 new jobs by 2017.

The Maryland-based company, which is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Beitzel Corporation, will invest $975,552 to purchase and equip a new 20,000 square-foot facility in Evansville. The facility, which will be fully operational by January, will expand the company’s storage, workshop and office space and allow the company to increase its steel fabrication and fiber optic cable assembly capabilities.

“Pillar Innovations chose Evansville, Indiana for its expansion primarily because we have found an excellent workforce to build our team with,” said Eric Guthrie, Assistant Manager for Operations at Pillar Innovations. “We believe Indiana’s right-to-work, business-friendly environment will be key to our company’s success.” Pillar Innovations is currently hiring electrical, mechanical engineers and skilled labor positions.

The Indiana Economic Development Corporation offered Pillar Innovations, Inc. up to $125,000 in conditional tax credits based on the company's job creation plans. These tax credits are performance-based, meaning until Hoosiers are hired, the company is not eligible to claim incentives. Vanderburgh County will consider additional incentives at the request of Growth Alliance for Greater Evansville.

"Companies don't have to dig deep to find that Indiana is a great place to do business," said Eric Doden, President of the Indiana Economic Development Corporation. "As a right-to-work state with a business-friendly tax climate, the Hoosier State is an ideal place for companies to locate and grow. Pillar Innovations' decision to expand here reflects that Indiana is a state that works.”